If there’s one thing the world needs more of, it’s love. And that’s the message that dozens of Broadway stars conveyed at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia Wednesday night, singing their hit charity single “What the World Needs Now Is Love.”
Stars of the Broadway for Orlando group, which includes Idina Menzel, Audra McDonald, Kristen Bell, Darren Criss, and Brian Stokes Mitchell, gathered on stage to give an emotionally-charged performance. More than 40 stars passed the microphone down the line and, without missing a beat, raised their voices in a song of unity.
The feeling of love was tangible as the final notes rang out through the room, with attendees throwing their hands in the air in the shape of a heart, while others joined hands to show solidarity. The moving performance ended with the audience chanting, “Love trumps hate.”
Broadway for Orlando Sings Charity Single “What the World Needs Now Is Love”
The Broadway for Orlando song and music video originally debuted last month and, since then, has garnered over 1 million views, according to Playbill.
Over 60 Broadway legends, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Carole King, Chita Rivera, Billy Porter, and Kelli O’Hara, lent their voices to the single in the wake of the Orlando nightclub shooting. Because the song was created to honor the victims of the shooting, 100 percent of the proceeds from the cover of the Burt Bacharach and Hal David song benefit the LGBT Center of Central Florida.
In a Playbill article, producer Seth Rudetsky said, “The Broadway community was so terribly shaken and devastated by the horrific tragedy in Orlando. Everyone wanted to do something as quickly as possible that would truly make a difference.”
Twitter Shows Their Love For Broadway for Orlando’s Performance
If it's not evident at this point, this election is about love and peace vs. fear and division. #LoveTrumpsHate #WhatTheWorldNeedsNowIsLove
— (((Sarah Clements))) (@sfclem) July 28, 2016
My hippie bleeding heart is bawling over that #WhatTheWorldNeedsNowIsLove performance. All the feels. #DemsInPhilly pic.twitter.com/f1cRBerfsQ
— Erin Eldridge (@erind11) July 28, 2016
Are you listening world!? #WhatTheWorldNeedsNowIsLove #broadwayfororlando at #DemsInPhilly pic.twitter.com/Wd8odghNiq
— Blake Ross (@PlaybillBlake) July 28, 2016
The DNC chanting love trumps hate while swaying back and forth is my fave thing since FLOTUS. #DemsInPhilly #whattheworldneedsnowislove
— Ervina Desaussure (@e_desaussure) July 28, 2016
The tears are uncontrollable right now #DNCinPHL #WhatTheWorldNeedsNowIsLove
— Emily (@emilyrine2716) July 28, 2016
Okay, I better be able to buy this version of #WhatTheWorldNeedsNowIsLove on iTunes tomorrow. #DemsInPhilly
— Laurie Crosswell (@lauriecrosswell) July 28, 2016
There should have been a Kleenex warning before this song.#DemsInPhilly #WhatTheWorldNeedsNowIsLove
— Laurie Crosswell (@lauriecrosswell) July 28, 2016
Biggest applause for these two Dames! #WhatTheWorldNeedsNowIsLove #DNCinPHL pic.twitter.com/1x2cPG3HHZ
— Scott Lowell (@scolo) July 28, 2016
#BroadwayForOrlando was the highlight of today's convention. Wow. Incredibly touching! #DemsInPhilly
— Maritza (@futieton) July 28, 2016
I love #broadwayfororlando and the message of #DemsInPhilly tonight being LOVE ❤️
— EB (@ErikaBuis) July 28, 2016
What were your thoughts on the “What the World Needs Now Is Love” performance?